Disposable humidifier

ABSTRACT

Oxygen to be administered to a patient is humidified by passing the oxygen through a standard water-containing solution bottle. A coupling assembly having an inlet tube and an outlet tube is inserted into the two openings defined by the stopper of the intravenous solution bottle, and is coupled to an oxygen supply. The connector assembly is capable of supporting the bottle, and carries a humidified oxygen outlet to which a nasal cannula is coupled.

United States Patent 1191 Pekkarinen [111 3,834,385 Sept. 10, 1974 DISPOSABLE HUMIDIFIER [75] Inventor: Michael O. Pekkarinen,

Lincolnshire, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Baxter Laboratories, Chicago, Ill. [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 304,943

52 us. 01. 128/194, 239/370 51 1m.c1 ..A61m1 5/00 [58] Field of Search 128/193, 194,173, 185,

128/186, 188, 187, 272; 261/78 A, DIG. 65; 55/255, 97; 222/400.7; 239/338, 370; 215/73, 74, 79

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 324,161 8/1885 Pond 128/186 1,286,109 11/1918 Richardson 128/197 3,236,458 2/1966 Ramis 239/370 X 3,455,792 7/1969 Ohta... 55/97 3,572,660 3/1971 Mahon 128/186 X 3,652,015 3/1972 Beall 239/370 3,682,168 8/1972 Deaton 128/194 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-Lee S. Cohen Attorney, Agent, or Firm-George l-l. Gerstman 57 ABSTRACT Oxygen to be administered to a patient is humidified by passing the oxygen through a standard watercontaining solution bottle. A coupling assembly having an inlet tube and an outlet tube is inserted into the two openings defined by the stopper of the intrave-' nous solution bottle, and is coupled to an oxygen supply. The connector assembly is capable of supporting the bottle, and carries a humidified oxygen outlet to which a nasal cannula is coupled.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPIOIW 3.834.385 saw 10: 2

PAIENIEDSEPIOW 3.834.385

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DISPOSABLE HUMIDIFIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved system for humidifying oxygen that is administered to a patient.

The oxygen which is supplied to hospital patients must be humidified because of the inherently low humidity of the oxygen exiting conventional oxygen tanks. Generally the oxygen is passed through bubblertype humidifiers which add water to the oxygen and the humidified oxygen flows through a nasal cannula to the patient.

The term oxygen" as used herein is intended to include all oxygen-containing gases, such as air, substantially pure oxygen, etc. The term water as used herein is intended to include distilled water, tap water and other water-containing liquids, such as saline solution.

One type of oxygen humidifier comprises a reusable glass container which serves as a water reservoir and bubbling chamber, in association with a metal cover assembly that seals the chamber and provides inlet, outlet and pressure relief ports. The major disadvantage of this type of humidifier assembly is the need to clean 7 and refill the unit with water prior to each use. Ideally, the humidifier is cleaned and wrapped after each use to maintain sterile conditions. However, there is a risk of contamination because the same humidifier is used for the treatment of many patients. Ambient bacteria may contaminate the humidifier and the humidifier may be reused without proper sterilization. Further, proper sterilization is costly and time consuming and is sometimes avoided by the hospital staff.

Contamination may also result because the first type of humidifier uses water which is obtained from the tap, or purchased in a separate container, or distilled by the hospital and transferred from a container to the humidifier. This practice generates a non-sterile open water supply which provides a potential breeding ground for bacteria.

A second type of oxygen humidifier assembly is similar to the first type described above, but is manufactured as a disposable item for single patient use. Although this type of humidifier eliminates some risk of contamination by providing a single use product, it depends on an open water supply and thus risk of contamination exists.

A third type of oxygen humidifier comprises a disposable molded product which incorporates a water reservoir, bubbling chamber inlet and outlet ports as a single molded assembly to be discarded after use. This type of humidifier obviates the contamination problem described above, but is relatively costly and takes up a large amount of storage space at the hospital.

It has been found that a very effective oxygen humidifier can be provided utilizing a standard intravenous solution bottle, of the type which is disposable after use and which is normally stored by hospitals in substantial quantity. The intravenous solution bottle contains its own distilled water supply and thus there is no need for the hospital staff to introduce water to the bottle from an open water supply. Further, the intravenous solution bottle is discarded after use and thus contamination resulting from reuse of a humidifier container is obviated. Additionally, the hospital is not required to have a separate inventory of intravenous solution bottles and humidifier bottles because the same bottle is used for both purposes.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide an effective system for coupling an intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, in order to provide humidified oxygen to a patient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an oxygen humidifier which significantly avoids risk of contamination, in that it utilizes a single use bottle which is prefilled with sterile water.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention, there is provided an oxygen humidifier set which uses, as the water supply, an intravenous solution container having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening, with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining the first opening. The airway tube is coaxial with the first opening and extends to the lower portion of the container, and the first and second openings are in communication with the inside of the container.

A connector assembly is provided for coupling the intravenous solution container to an oxygen supply. The connector assembly includes an oxygen inlet member and means for coupling the upper portion of the oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply. In the illustrative embodiment, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprises an oxygen inlet tube which is adapted for insertion into the first opening.

In the illustrative embodiment, an outlet tube is provided for forming an outlet path for the humidified oxygen. The outlet tube is adapted for insertion into the second opening. A humidified oxygen outlet is provided in communication with the outlet tube, with the humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to a nasal cannula. Means located in the outlet path of the oxygen humidifier are provided to prevent liquid droplets from passing. The connector assembly carries means which are engageable with the intravenous solution container for retaining the connector assembly in engagement with the container and for supporting the container.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and claims, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, primarily in crosssection, of an oxygen humidifier set including a standard intravenous solution bottle having a connector assembly connected thereto, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG..2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG..l; I

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the connector assembly of FIG. 2, with the coupling, nipple and cannula adapter removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the connector of FIG. 3, taken along the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the connector assembly of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an oxygen humidifier set of the present invention, coupled to an oxygen sup- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT In the illustrative embodiment, a plastic connector assembly is provided for coupling a conventional oxygen supply to a standard intravenous solution container having water therein, in order to humidify the oxygen. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6 in particular, the container shown therein is a standard intravenous solution bottle, such as disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 2,878,808, 2,923,293 and 2,969,158. These bottles generally are formed of glass and are obtainable in various sizes, such as 250ml, 500ml, etc. The bottles are maintained under sterile conditions, since they contain solutions which are intended to be introduced into the human body.

Bottle 10 has a bail member 12 connected thereto for suspending the bottle during intravenous administration. However, the bail member has no utility in connection with the present invention. The mouth of bottle 10 is closed by means of a rubber stopper. 14 defining two openings 16 and 18 which communicate with the inside of the bottle. First opening 16 is smaller in diameter than second opening 18 and has a plastic airway tube 20 mounted therein. Airway tube 20 extends downwardly in the bottle 10 to a point adjacent the bottom thereof.

The stopper 14 is maintained in place by a metal clamping ring 22. Prior to use, clamping ring 22 forms part of a bottle top closure which is partially removed for use, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,969,158.

The intravenous solution bottles 10 used with the present invention are those containing water 24 (i.e., distilled water or saline solution). Such intravenous solution bottles are standard items in many hospitals and thus the present invention enables the effective humidification of oxygen (i.e., substantially pure oxygen or air) without the need to store additional humidifier bottles. Further, since the water 24 carried by the intravenous solution bottles is already sterilized, the danger of contamination resulting from the use of tap water or an outside water source is obviated.

The connector assembly 26 which couples the intravenous solution bottle to a conventional supply of oxygen comprises a base 28 carrying an oxygen inlet member 30, an outlet tube 32, a humidified oxygen outlet 34 and a pair of downwardly extending fingers 35. Oxygen inlet member 30 defines a central bore 36 with the lower portion thereof comprising an oxygen inlet tube 38 adapted for insertion into first opening 16. An annular retaining wall 39 is formed integrally with humidified oxygen outlet 34 for maintaining an umbrella valve 48, discussed below, from becoming disengaged by an operators finger.

The internal diameters and external diameters of the inlet tube 38 and the airway tube 20 substantially match and the external diameters are large enough so that a compression fit of the inlet tube and airway tube with opening 16 is permitted. When the inlet tube 38 is in opening 16, the lower end of the inlet tube 38 will be adjacent to or in abutting relationship with the upper end of airway tube 20. The compression fit of the tubes in opening 16 aids in providing an effective seal.

Outlet tube 32 is greater in length than inlet tube 38 and has a downwardly pointing sharp forward edge 40 which aids in permitting the connector assembly 26 to be inserted into stopper l4 and further aids in providing an effective seal. Outlet tube 32 has a central bore 42 which communicates with bore 44 of humidified oxygen outlet 34.

During humidification of the oxygen, some frothing may occur at the water surface. As a result of the shape of the neck of a conventional intravenous solution bottle-and the height of the water therein (see FIG. 1), the frothing is high enough to cause some of the water, in droplet form, to be expelled through oxygen outlet 32. To obviate this problem, there is a filter plug 43 interposed in bore 42. Filter plug 43 is utilized to prevent waterfrom being forced out, i.e., to obviate the problem of liquid droplets passing to outlet 34. In a preferred embodiment, filter plug 43 is formed of a polyolefin material, such as polypropylene, having a pore size of 300 microns.

l-Iumidified oxygen outlet 34 includes a nasal cannula adapter 46 which is connected to the assembly with a frictional fit and it tapers to permit an effective coupling of the assembly to a conventional nasal cannula 47, as shown in FIG. 6.

An umbrella valve 48 is interposed in communication with bore 42 for safety purposes. For example, if the back pressure exceeds 2 psi, umbrella valve 48 will provide a relief vent as one side thereof is forced upwardly.

A plastic nipple 50 is fastened to the top of inlet member 30. Nipple 50 defines a bore 52 which communicates with bore 36. Nipple 50 becomes connected to a conventional oxygen supply by means of threaded coupling 54 which comprises a grip wings 56 and an internally threaded bore 58 which threadedly engages a standard externally threaded outlet of a conventional oxygen supply. Coupling 54 defines opening 60 which is greater in diameter than the external diameter of inlet member 30, and thus can slide along inlet member 30, but is restrained from removal by means of nipple Each of downwardly extending fingers 35 is formed in-a generally U-shape and has a flange 64 extending inwardly from the bight 66 of the U. Referring to FIG.

5, the vertical distance between the top of flange 64 and the underside of base 28 is substantially equal to the height of clamping ring 22 so that when connector assembly 26 is inserted into stopper 14, the fingers will overlie the clamping ring and flange 64 will snap under the inwardly extending portion 68 of ring 22. Fingers 35 will aid in providing a strong retention of the waterfilled bottle to the connector assembly. The resilience of the plastic base 28 and downwardly extending fingers 35 will aid in providing a snug, snap fit.

To operate the oxygen humidifier set of the present invention, a water-containing standard intravenous solution bottle is selected and the closure is torn in the conventional manner. Connector assembly 26 is then forced into the two-hole stopper, with the oxygen inlet tube 38 entering first opening 16, as described above, and the underside of base 28 resting upon the top of clamping ring 22. A nasal cannula 47 is then frictionally connected to adapter 46 and the assembly is connect'ed to a conventional oxygen supply 72 by threading coupling 54 onto the outlet of the oxygen supply.

It can be seen that a novel oxygen humidifier has been provided which utilizes a standard intravenous solution container of the type which is disposable after use and which is normally stored by hospitals in substantial quantity. The connector assembly is relatively simple in construction and provides a secure seal and retention with respect to the intravenous solution container.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the intravenous solution container could be a plastic container, such as the VIAFLEX container sold by Travenol Laboratories, Inc., Morton Grove, Illinois 60053. To this end, an airway tube could be inserted into one of the two container outlets and the connector assembly could be connected to the outlets in a similar manner that the connector assembly is connected to stopper 14 of the illustrative embodiment. The connector assembly could then be retained with respect to the plastic container by means of hooks carried by the connector assembly which are placed into the openings that are normally defined by the outlet end of the intravenous solution container.

What is claimed is:

1. An oxygen humidifier set which comprises: an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening, an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening with said airway tube being coaxial with said first opening and extending to the lower portion of said bottle, said first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle; a connector assembly for coupling said intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube coupled to said first opening in communication therewithyan outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device; means located in the outlet path of the oxygen humidifier for preventing liquid droplets from passing; and means carried by the connector assembly and engaging the intravenous solution bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle.

2. An oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 1, wherein said connector assembly further includes a safety valve in communication with said outlet tube and said humidified oxygen outlet for relieving back pressure therein; and means for preventing said safety valve from being removed accidentally from said connector assembly.

3. An oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 1, wherein said oxygen inlet tube is inserted into said first opening.

4. An oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 1, wherein said liquid droplets preventing means comprises a filter plug formed of a polyolefin material.

5. In an oxygen humidifier set using, as a water supply, an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening and the airway tube being coaxial with the first opening and extending to the lower portion of the bottle, and with the first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle, the improvement comprising, in combination: a connector assembly for coupling said intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube inserted into said first opening, an outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device, means located in the outlet path of the oxygen humidifier for preventing liquid droplets from passing; and means carried by the connector assembly and engaging said bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle.

6. In an oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 5 wherein said liquid droplets preventing means comprises a filter plug formed of a polyolefin material.

7. In an oxygen humidifier set using, as a water supply, an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening and the airway tube being coaxial with the first opening and extending to the lower portion of the bottle, and with the first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle, the improvement comprising, in combination: a connector assembly for coupling said intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube inserted into said first opening, and outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device; a safety valve in communication with said outlet tube and said humidified oxygen outlet for relieving back pressure therein, means for preventing said safety valve from being removed accidently from said connector assembly; and means carried by the connector assembly and engaging said bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle.

8. In an oxygen humidifier set using as a water supply an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening, with said first opening having a smaller diameter than the second opening and with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening, and with the airway tube being coaxial with the first opening and extending to the lower portion of the bottle, and with the first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle, the improvement comprising, in combination: a connector assembly for coupling said bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, an outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube inserted into said first opening, said inlet tube having an external diameter that substantially matches the internal diameter to said first opening whereby insertion of the oxygen inlet tube into said first opening will provide a compressive seal between said oxygen inlet tube and said first opening, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, with the lowest extremity of the inlet tube being in a higher plane than the plane in which lies the lowest extremity of the outlet tube and with the outlet tube extending into the bottle below the stopper, said outlet tube having a downwardly pointing sharp forward edge; a filter plug in said outlet tube for preventing passage of liquid droplets; a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device; a safety valve in communication with said outlet tube and humidified oxygen outlet for relieving back pressure therein; and downwardly extending fingers engaging the neck of the bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle. 

1. An oxygen humidifier set which comprises: an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening, an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening with said airway tube being coaxial with said first opening and extending to the lower portion of said bottle, said first and second openings being in communicatIon with the inside of the bottle; a connector assembly for coupling said intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube coupled to said first opening in communication therewith; an outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device; means located in the outlet path of the oxygen humidifier for preventing liquid droplets from passing; and means carried by the connector assembly and engaging the intravenous solution bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle.
 2. An oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 1, wherein said connector assembly further includes a safety valve in communication with said outlet tube and said humidified oxygen outlet for relieving back pressure therein; and means for preventing said safety valve from being removed accidentally from said connector assembly.
 3. An oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 1, wherein said oxygen inlet tube is inserted into said first opening.
 4. An oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 1, wherein said liquid droplets preventing means comprises a filter plug formed of a polyolefin material.
 5. In an oxygen humidifier set using, as a water supply, an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening and the airway tube being coaxial with the first opening and extending to the lower portion of the bottle, and with the first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle, the improvement comprising, in combination: a connector assembly for coupling said intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube inserted into said first opening, an outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device, means located in the outlet path of the oxygen humidifier for preventing liquid droplets from passing; and means carried by the connector assembly and engaging said bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle.
 6. In an oxygen humidifier set as described in claim 5 wherein said liquid droplets preventing means comprises a filter plug formed of a polyolefin material.
 7. In an oxygen humidifier set using, as a water supply, an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening and the airway tube being coaxial with the first opening and extending to the lower portion of the bottle, and with the first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle, the improvement comprising, in combination: a connector assembly for coupling said intravenous solution bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube inserted into said first opening, and outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the hUmidified oxygen, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device; a safety valve in communication with said outlet tube and said humidified oxygen outlet for relieving back pressure therein, means for preventing said safety valve from being removed accidently from said connector assembly; and means carried by the connector assembly and engaging said bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle.
 8. In an oxygen humidifier set using as a water supply an intravenous solution bottle having a stopper defining a first opening and a second opening, with said first opening having a smaller diameter than the second opening and with an airway tube connected to the wall of the stopper defining said first opening, and with the airway tube being coaxial with the first opening and extending to the lower portion of the bottle, and with the first and second openings being in communication with the inside of the bottle, the improvement comprising, in combination: a connector assembly for coupling said bottle to an oxygen supply, said connector assembly comprising an oxygen inlet member, an outlet tube for providing an outlet path for the humidified oxygen, means for coupling the upper portion of said oxygen inlet member to the oxygen supply, the lower portion of the oxygen inlet member comprising an oxygen inlet tube inserted into said first opening, said inlet tube having an external diameter that substantially matches the internal diameter to said first opening whereby insertion of the oxygen inlet tube into said first opening will provide a compressive seal between said oxygen inlet tube and said first opening, said outlet tube being inserted into said second opening, with the lowest extremity of the inlet tube being in a higher plane than the plane in which lies the lowest extremity of the outlet tube and with the outlet tube extending into the bottle below the stopper, said outlet tube having a downwardly pointing sharp forward edge; a filter plug in said outlet tube for preventing passage of liquid droplets; a humidified oxygen outlet in communication with said outlet tube, said humidified oxygen outlet being adapted for coupling to an oxygen administration device; a safety valve in communication with said outlet tube and humidified oxygen outlet for relieving back pressure therein; and downwardly extending fingers engaging the neck of the bottle for retaining said connector assembly in engagement with said bottle and for supporting the bottle. 